Arjun‘s
Marathon Journey
Meet my Arjun: young, curious, and bursting with energy!
For Arjun, running started just as another hobby but with time, it became a habit and a part of his life which he can’t go without. His day feels incomplete without a run!
As he prepared for the Detroit Free Press Marathon, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Balancing school, routines, and a full training plan took real effort and focus. But watching his determination every single day inspired me more.
Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself, I’m Arjun’s mom, Juthica. Somewhere along the way, I decided to join him in his practice sessions along with his dad Jai, and honestly, it was the best decision I made! Not only did I get fitter, but running together became our family’s favorite time: full of laughter, motivation, and tiny milestones that mean the world to us.
So let me take you through our marathon journey and share how this journey brought us even closer as a family.
Meet my Arjun: young, curious, and bursting with energy!
For Arjun, running started just as another hobby but with time, it became a habit and a part of his life which he can’t go without. His day feels incomplete without a run!
As he prepared for the Detroit Free Press Marathon, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Balancing school, routines, and a full training plan took real effort and focus. But watching his determination every single day inspired me more.
Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself, I’m Arjun’s mom, Juthica. Somewhere along the way, I decided to join him in his practice sessions along with his dad Jai, and honestly, it was the best decision I made! Not only did I get fitter, but running together became our family’s favorite time: full of laughter, motivation, and tiny milestones that mean the world to us.
So let me take you through our marathon journey and share how this journey brought us even closer as a family.
Where it all began
Arjun has always been full of energy. He loves being outdoors: whether it’s running around, cycling, or just simply moving to music. His joy in motion was catching, and his dad, Jai and I often found ourselves joining in just to match his energy!
One day, during his therapy sessions at LifeLab Kids, we began wondering: What if we could channel his enthusiasm into something bigger and meaningful? Something which would challenge him, motivate him, and help him discover just how capable he really is.
That’s when the idea of the marathon slowly turned into a plan.
Building a routine
Arjun’s training officially began in late June. We started taking slow, easy runs around the neighborhood, focusing more on breathing and posture. The first few days were all about rhythm, learning how to move comfortably, and understanding progress. Each morning he’d wake up excited, lace up his shoes, and start his day with a smile.
What helped us the most was keeping the training simple and visual. We made a weekly chart where we could see his progress; each completed run earned him a golden star. We also set small, realistic goals for every week instead of focusing only on the final race. That kept him motivated and made the process more fun.
By the end of that first week, Arjun was running steadily for 65 minutes. Each day ended with a proud moment: A golden star on his chart. That small sticker became our favorite family ritual. “You get a star for finishing today’s goal!” I’d tell him, and he’d beam with pride.
By mid-July, the sessions became a little more structured. On some days, he would cycle; on others, he’d do dance-based cardio or light yoga. Every activity was chosen with care to keep him engaged and happy.
August arrived, and so did the warmer days. We learned how important rest and hydration were. His trainer helped us adjust his training plan to make sure he wasn’t overdoing it. Some mornings were just gentle jogs followed by stretching and breathing exercises.
September was when everything started to come together. His stamina had improved; his posture looked great, and his timing had become remarkably steady. Some mornings we practiced interval runs, and other days, we focused on endurance. His therapist often joined us for check-ins, helping us make small adjustments to his routine. It was a rhythm that shaped our days and brought incredible joy to our family.
Arjun’s training officially began in late June. We started taking slow, easy runs around the neighborhood, focusing more on breathing and posture. The first few days were all about rhythm, learning how to move comfortably, and understanding progress. Each morning he’d wake up excited, lace up his shoes, and start his day with a smile.
What helped us the most was keeping the training simple and visual. We made a weekly chart where we could see his progress; each completed run earned him a golden star. We also set small, realistic goals for every week instead of focusing only on the final race. That kept him motivated and made the process more fun.
By the end of that first week, Arjun was running steadily for 65 minutes. Each day ended with a proud moment: A golden star on his chart. That small sticker became our favorite family ritual. “You get a star for finishing today’s goal!” I’d tell him, and he’d beam with pride.
By mid-July, the sessions became a little more structured. On some days, he would cycle; on others, he’d do dance-based cardio or light yoga. Every activity was chosen with care to keep him engaged and happy.
August arrived, and so did the warmer days. We learned how important rest and hydration were. His trainer helped us adjust his training plan to make sure he wasn’t overdoing it. Some mornings were just gentle jogs followed by stretching and breathing exercises.
September was when everything started to come together. His stamina had improved; his posture looked great, and his timing had become remarkably steady. Some mornings we practiced interval runs, and other days, we focused on endurance. His therapist often joined us for check-ins, helping us make small adjustments to his routine. It was a rhythm that shaped our days and brought incredible joy to our family.
A Glimpse into Our Days
Our mornings began early, when the air was calm and cool. Some days were long runs; others were short, but each day had laughter stories, and encouragement. Jai often ran beside Arjun, while his little brother and I cheered from the sidewalk.
After every run, we’d cool down with stretches or yoga, which was followed by breakfast together. What made our routine special was that it became a family thing. We’d plan the next day’s route together, pick his favorite songs for warm-ups, and celebrate even small achievements with something simple, like a high-five or a special smoothie after running. Turning training into family time helped Arjun look forward to it every single day.
Each evening, we talked about his run, what he enjoyed, learned, and were excited about. Sometimes he’d describe how the cool morning breeze made him feel, or how he felt completing his goal. These reflections became some of my favorite moments; they reminded me that this journey was about much more than running. It was about growth, patience, and joy.
The Marathon Day
Then it was Marathon Day, the city was full of energy, thousands of runners, cheering crowds, music, and excitement in the air.
That morning, the temperature suddenly dropped, and the cold breeze took us by surprise. The rain started coming down and I couldn’t stop worrying, could Arjun really handle this unexpected chill? I turned to Jai and asked, “How can we even run in this?” He smiled and tried to reassure me, but I could tell from his eyes he was thinking the same thing.
And then I saw Arjun, calm, confident, and ready, without a trace of hesitation. There was a quiet focus on his face and that familiar spark in his eyes. In that moment, I realized he wasn’t just preparing for a run; he was ready to live his dream.
As the race began, the sound of footsteps filled the air. Arjun ran with focus and determination. Every few miles, he’d flash us that bright smile that said, “I’ve got this!”
And when we crossed the finished line, it was one of those moments that filled my heart more than words could express. My little boy had done it, his very first half marathon, completed with grace, joy, and so much heart.
This journey was never just about running. It was about discovering new sides of Arjun, his patience, focus, and determination. It was about realizing how much can be achieved with love, structure, and support. Running became his way of expressing confidence and feeling connected to himself and to us.
Then it was Marathon Day, the city was full of energy, thousands of runners, cheering crowds, music, and excitement in the air.
That morning, the temperature suddenly dropped, and the cold breeze took us by surprise. The rain started coming down and I couldn’t stop worrying, could Arjun really handle this unexpected chill? I turned to Jai and asked, “How can we even run in this?” He smiled and tried to reassure me, but I could tell from his eyes he was thinking the same thing.
And then I saw Arjun, calm, confident, and ready, without a trace of hesitation. There was a quiet focus on his face and that familiar spark in his eyes. In that moment, I realized he wasn’t just preparing for a run; he was ready to live his dream.
As the race began, the sound of footsteps filled the air. Arjun ran with focus and determination. Every few miles, he’d flash us that bright smile that said, “I’ve got this!”
And when we crossed the finished line, it was one of those moments that filled my heart more than words could express. My little boy had done it, his very first half marathon, completed with grace, joy, and so much heart.
This journey was never just about running. It was about discovering new sides of Arjun, his patience, focus, and determination. It was about realizing how much can be achieved with love, structure, and support. Running became his way of expressing confidence and feeling connected to himself and to us.
The Support That Made It Possible
Behind Arjun’s progress was a whole circle of support.
The team at Lifelab Kids: his therapists, coaches, and mentors, created a training plan according to his needs and strengths. They knew how to keep him motivated, from adjusting his pace to introducing fun and sensory friendly routines and activities.
For parents starting something similar, I’d suggest building open communication with your child’s therapist or coach. Share what motivates your child be it music, visuals, or rewards so the team can include that in their plan. Consistent feedback between home and therapy made a big difference for us.
Every time Arjun needed reassurance, there was someone to encourage him, whether it was his therapist celebrating a milestone, or his family cheering mid-run. The partnership between our family and the therapist team became the foundation of this journey.
My Message to Other Parents
As a mom, I have learned that progress need not be big, sometimes it’s the small, steady steps that matter the most.
Arjun was just three when he was first diagnosed with autism. It was shocking for us, and the path ahead wasn’t immediately clear. But with time, patience, and gentle guidance, Jai and I explored every possible way, from traditional methods to modern therapies, to help him grow, learn, and express himself. His journey is a beautiful reminder that with the right support, every child can discover their own unique path.
As a LifeLab Kids family, we always strive to support and celebrate every milestone. This year, just like last year, we ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon for Arjun and for every neurodiverse child discovering their own way to shine.
One thing that I’d say to other parents is:
Believe in your child’s pace, support their joy and celebrate their efforts and small milestones.
Because when you do, you will see what we saw in Arjun, the real finish line is not on the road but it’s in the heart.
As a mom, I have learned that progress need not be big, sometimes it’s the small, steady steps that matter the most.
Arjun was just three when he was first diagnosed with autism. It was shocking for us, and the path ahead wasn’t immediately clear. But with time, patience, and gentle guidance, Jai and I explored every possible way, from traditional methods to modern therapies, to help him grow, learn, and express himself. His journey is a beautiful reminder that with the right support, every child can discover their own unique path.
As a LifeLab Kids family, we always strive to support and celebrate every milestone. This year, just like last year, we ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon for Arjun and for every neurodiverse child discovering their own way to shine.
One thing that I’d say to other parents is:
Believe in your child’s pace, support their joy and celebrate their efforts and small milestones.
Because when you do, you will see what we saw in Arjun, the real finish line is not on the road but it’s in the heart.